~ MIA International Tribune ~

[General_W]

Had a conversation with Rik after I made the MIA News/History section for our team.

We talked about making an "International" version of this paper – and I thought it sounded like fun.

There hasn't been a lot of activity on the UN thread lately – and I thought this might be a fun way to add a little spice and light-heartedness to the game.

The goals of my writing are 3-fold:

1) Have Fun.

2) Spread subtle propaganda about MIA (we're nice, we're strong, but not a threat to anyone)

3) Spread subtle propaganda about the other teams (they're strong and scary!)​

Now – I'll publish this disclaimer before I post any new edition of the paper…

"The MIA International Tribune is published at the sole discretion of MIA citizen General_W. All opinions are his alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or positions of the MIA government. Heck, even the 'facts' in this paper are viewed through his personal lens and may or may not accurately reflect the real or perceived actual state of word and/or game affairs. This paper may frequently contain what is known as 'sarcasm' and should be taken as it is intended – in fun. Hate mail may be sent to General_W via PM if you wish. General_W reserves the right to laugh uproariously at any hate mail he receives. This paper is not designed to provide up-to-date news, cure any diseases, provide well balanced opinion, or relieve inflammation of the foot. MIA hereby absolves itself from any responsibility from any actions the reader does or does not take based on this 'news' paper."

It is my experience (I've published these kinds of goofy newspapers in my PBEM games with friends) – that even though no one "takes it seriously" the information spread does have a way of affecting how people perceive each other and play the game. It is a good opportunity for us to influence world opinion by selectively leaking information about ourselves and highlighting the actions of others.

As confirmed by Rik Meleet in my IM conversation with him, almost any information is fair game, because all teams know each other, and any info in this paper could be talked about in a chat with each team… so the paper is just like one big group chat!

Before I post any papers in the UN thread – I will post them here for comment for at least 24 hours. If you feel that I am giving away too much information about MIA of if you think I've crossed the line in anything I say – please speak up and we'll talk about it, and I'll be happy to change things!

Below is my proposed first edition!
Looking forward to hearing feedback!

*Moderators or Game Admins – please feel free to comment also!

 

[General_W]

First Edition for Comment:

 

[ybbor]

I'm not a fan of either of the right-hand articles. You might want to put something about TNT's being scientific too, or donut's brain filled with Jelly. Also I don't see much gained in telling everyone about the trusty guppy.

whatever. It's just a newspaper.

 

[General_W]

Ok – thanks for the comments Ybbor.

The "Greeks Smarter?" article is intended solely as "fluff" – to be funny. I'm in the habit of including at least one such article in each newspaper – mostly because every newspaper I've ever read also has some "Brittney Spears is now Pregnant!" article jammed in with all the other "news" headlines. It's supposed to be a tongue-in-cheek nod to the "pop-culture" that gets recognition as if it's real news. (and maybe in a subtle way remind people that we're the science leaders.)

The "Trusty Guppy" article is to start the process of revealing information about what's going on in MIA land. It's a little tid-bit for others to analyze, hopefully promotes the idea that MIA is open about what's going on in our Empire, and at the same time, doesn't actually reveal anything significant that can be used.

However – I understand the fact that you're not a fan – and if everyone else thinks this is lame also – then we'll just let the MIA International Tribune die before it ever gets started!

 

[peter grimes]

I love it! I think it's not only well-written, but is fun and sneaky.

For example: Putting in the bit about the Trusty Guppy is something that could 'disarm' our enemies into offering a little tale that we don't know about. I think this is a great addition to the UN.

Frankly, I've been a little disappointed in the level of participation in the UN. But I guess that if people aren't arguing over something, there's not too much noise to be heard at the UN. That's good, right?

 

[azzaman333]

It's a good idea, and the way you've written it is great.

 

[General_W]

@ Peter and Azzaman333 - Thanks for the support! Glad you like it!

@ All: Feel free to use this thread to post any ideas you have for future columns - as well as comment on what I write - If this get's going, I may need fresh ideas!

 

[Kentharu]

AHHH THIS IS AWESOMELY FANASTIC DUUUUUUUDE YOU SHOULD *explodes*

i hate it

he he he i think would should all have cookies COOKIES
but seriously (lol yea right) seriously!! its awesome and super rad man LMAO *explodes yet again*
ok it is good you have my stamp of approval
*curls up and nibbles on furniture* mmmm sofa ^_^

 

[classical_hero]

I have a question, how did the MIA ambassador react to the TNT joke? Iloved it.

 

[classical_hero]

This is team Doughnuts responce to out scientific work. "I am so smart, iI am so smart. S A M R T, I mean, S M A R T."

 

[gbno1fan]

Not to be nit-picky but the quote is "I am so smart, I am so smart. S M R T, S M R T, d'oh!"

@General - Looks great and will be fun to read! Keep up the good work!

 

[General_W]

@ Kentharu: Thanks! (I think?)

@ Classical Hero: The MIA ambassador chuckled softly, and swiped an extra hors d'oeuvre when everyone was distracted by the KISS ambassador.

@gbno1fan: Thanks! I hope others will enjoy it also!

 

[fe3333au]

... about time we got the UN to actually interact ... this will be perfect ...

Loved the joke ... much work has been put into this ... and I'm glad our creativity and sense of fun will be finally shared


Future Idea ... some interaction (in an inappropriate place) between the Meleet and the Dicers ... keep it up.

 

[General_W]

ok - thanks for all your feedback!

I'll be posting the first edition of the MIA International Tribune in the UN forum here soon.

Long Live MIA!

 

[General_W]

Ok - Here's my proposal for Edition 2 of the MIA International News!

Please post any comments or concerns, and I'll be happy to edit!

Again - the goal here is to appear open without actually revealing anything strategically important.

Hoplites Tame Barbarians:
This article highlights our Hoplites – as a reminder of our defensive strength (notice, I'm assuming we'll be successful against those Barbs in Flaxon Musk. Win or lose, I still think we should run the story.)

Peace Process Critial?
In this article, I'm trying to lighten the mood with KISS just a bit, but at the same time make clear to all teams that we view the coming war as a result of KISS aggression.

Palace Expanded!
The article on the presidential palace is basically just fluff. (that's not even an image of our palace! )


Here it is! Let me know what you think.

 

[ybbor]

do we really want to reveal to the other teams how close we are to war with KISS? What do we gain? If they hear it from anyone, they should hear it directly from us, so we can convince them to join our side .

 

[General_W]

All the other teams already know.
We've told both the Nuts and TNT more than what's revealed in this Article.

(But as always - if the team believes it's too much, I'll remove it)

 

[ybbor]

okay then. never mind. I really should keep up with these things more. Tell me it was burried in chat logs, and not on the front page of the foreign ministry?

EDIT: that was your 1000th post!

 

[RegentMan]

I enjoy this paper. It's always an interesting read!

 

[peter grimes]

General_W, you have done a terrific job here, yet again!

May I quietly point out the things your copy editor is going to harp on in an hour or two?

In the article about Hoplites, your text reads: ....news of the last barbarians defeat.... It should read ....news of the last barbarian's defeat....

Wow - that was the only thing! I thought there were more. I stand corrected. Great work!